The federal government is mandated to dedicate a certain amount of the nation’s corn every year for ethanol production. Some Illinois lawmakers say the Environmental Protection Agency should lower that amount this year because of the devastating drought that has decimated corn crops.

Tropical Storm Isaac has dismantled Illinois Republicans' convention plans. With national convention events cancelled, they will no longer spend Monday nominating Mitt Romney as their candidate for president. That leaves an opportunity for them to focus on state politics.